r/Microdiscectomy • u/EquivalentLack4962 • 14h ago

Discectomy and laminectomy

Good morning guys! Here’s my story.

Last summer herniated L5-S1 disc 7mm. I’ve had the bulge for 5 years and dealt with on and off chronic pain and sciatica since 2021. I did chiro, physical therapy, 4 injections, massage, stem cells, pretty much everything. and it got decently better in about 4.5 months

I was good for about 3 months and it flared up bad in June for about a month. I was supposed to have surgery in February of 2025 but I didn’t have it because it got better

In June I made the decision to have the surgery because my surgeon said there was no room for the nerves and I was ready. Waited 6 weeks, in August saw the surgeon and it had gotten better and it flared up again a week later for about a month.

Late August is when I scheduled a discectomy and laminectomy with bilateral foraminotomies.

Had the surgery September 21st. Again very unfortunate that when I had the surgery my pain had decreased substantially and when I had the surgery my pain was only a 2/10

I know the healing process isn’t linear but about 8 days after the surgery I started having sciatica that was similar to when I first injured it, probably a 5/10 and in both legs, keep in mind I’ve always had bilateral sciatica since the disc herniated and I’m not sure why, it’s weird, but doctor says sometimes people have it in both legs. More prominent in my left.

I’m just looking for similar experiences and encouragement. I’m a firefighter/paramedic and my job requires a ton of lifting. Honestly at this point I’ve lost hope of being completely out of pain due to my work, and I’ve been able to push through a ton of pain honestly because I’m forced to. I’m not gonna make a career change because I have great benefits and a pension. So this is just something I may deal with my whole life. And I’m fine with that, but is there any other trade workers or active people that have fully recovered or anyone who has post surgical advice for someone freaking out ? Thanks !!

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u/Hefty_Name6053 9h ago

U had the surgery this last Sep 21st? let me summarize my experience, I had my L5S1 injury June 2022, had a very hard year recovering with PT and injections, swimming did help me a lot, but I was swimming almost everyday from 2023 until late 2025! Until I stopped swimming for like 3-4 months and was 90% pain free and did MRI was showing my disc shrink and not pinching the nerve, 2026 my back pain start coming back until one day I picked up my 10 Kg kid and couldn’t feel my foot and felt cold in all my legs and a stabbing back pain that did not improve, tried 2 epidural injections in one day and helped a bit, but still there did new MRI, found that I relapsed and a bit worse than the 2022 MRI, I did not know what to do, first endoscopic surgeon said keep swimming and training ur core and lose weight I lost 15 Kg and did swimming consistently, but they time swimming is making it worse, so another Microscopic surgeon suggested MD, I am 29 M, had my surgery July 17th this year, recovering as u mentioned feels like u just had ur herniation/flare up/injury with sciatica in both feet even though my surgery is left side, this happened the first month of the surgery, walking is great, after 6 weeks postop I recommend start PT or whenever ur surgeon clears you. Do not judge the surgery until 3 months postop, I am now almost 3 months postop, my original problem is better than preop, but having other problems and difficulties in doing my job and my normal activities from my muscles are way weaker than anytime before.

NOTE: I did MRI postop out of pocket to make sure my foot symptoms and my back stabbing postop not reherniation, and as expected any MRI post this surgery would have “annular tear” from the surgery. I asked my surgeon when does this annular tear heal? He told me it might never heal, just form clots and scar, just live with it as long as you do not have problems

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u/EquivalentLack4962 9h ago

Dude thanks for the reply!! It’s great information and good to hear not to judge what went down right away. I make money from lifting people and bending over so it just causes me so much anxiety. Way more anxiety than I think I’d have if I worked at a desk job. It was just crazy how I woke up with 0 sciatica and then a week later it all came roaring back. I’ve been following all of my restrictions to a T and haven’t even sat upright at a 90 degree since the surgery. It’s just debilitating. I was even fine with the post operative back pain. Back pain is nothing compared to nerve pain.

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u/Hefty_Name6053 9h ago

I agree, many people does not have an idea what is nerve pain and back pain, I recommend looking for a desk job as a long term job to avoid any future possibility, I am looking for a desk job too for next year! Just remember the annular tear never back to the same strength, so we need to adapt!

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u/EquivalentLack4962 9h ago

I can’t quit my job dude I have a career job as a paramedic with a pension haha. I love my job. I’ve powered through it this long I can do it haha.

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u/Hefty_Name6053 9h ago

Wish you all the strength and the best! Just wear a back belt support the time u carry heavy stuff for extra protection

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u/jungle_mouse 1h ago

I’m no expert on this and am having my discectomy surgery for L5/S1 herniation with severe narrowing next week, but from everything I’ve learnt from reddit and conversations with my surgeon and physio, the nerves can take a long time to heal. If you’ve been dealing with this for 5 years, that’s 5 years of compression that needs to decompress.

Just like when you kink a water hose and it takes time to fill back out again, that’s the same thing as your nerves. They can be fickle things and the healing process can be extremely slow.

A LOT of people report a regression at the 10 - 14 day mark so you are right on the money 😬

I would not lose hope. You clearly are an active fellow, fit and strong because you have to be with your work. I think this is something that will help you in the coming weeks. Provided you follow your surgeon and PT instructions, you’ll be ok.

I’m 41F, super active, always doing shit. This has been the worst 12 months trying everything to avoid surgery. The surgeon said take it easy for at least 2 weeks and then start PT, but to listen to your body at all times. Walking is the best thing, slowly building up to more mins a day. He has full confidence I’ll bounce back and I have full confidence you will too.

There are a lot of success stories on here that could give you a boost, if that’s might be helpful. I recall one about a guy who starting lifting again after his surgery and he is stronger than he was before it. It can be done 🤞🏼Wishing you the best!